Library and Information Sciences

Library and Information Sciences

Convergence of Iranian Libraries, Museums, and Archives: Current Status and Challenges

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Zoya Abam 1
Marziah Ghavidel 2
Saeed Rezaei Sharifabadi 3
1 Associate Professor, Department of Information Science, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran.
2 M.A. in Archival Studies, Librarian in Faculty of Communication Sciences, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran.
3 Professor, Department of Information Science, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran.
10.30481/lis.2025.500310.2231
Abstract
Objective: This study seeks to explore the potential for enhanced collaboration, convergence, and integration among libraries, archives, and museums as institutions with shared societal objectives. Therefore, the research aims to identify the state of cooperation between libraries, Archives and museums in Iran
Methodology: This study adopted an applied research design with a qualitative approach, utilizing grounded theory methodology. Semi-structured interview was employed as the primary data collection tool. The research population comprised managers and experts in the fields of librarianship, museology, and archival science, with a sample of 24 participants selected through snowball sampling until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data analysis was conducted in three phases: open coding, axial coding and selective coding, adhering to a structured grounded theory approach.
Findings: In this study, 399 initial codes were extracted from content analysis of the interviews, which were categorized into 53 secondary codes and 5 main categories including "current situation", "existing grounds for cooperation", "factors affecting cooperation", "benefits of cooperation" and "challenges of cooperation". These were further classified into 6 main categories based on the grounded theory approach: causal conditions, central phenomenon, contextual conditions, intervening conditions, strategies and consequences. A theoretical model was developed based on these categories. The findings indicated limited, occasional and fragmented cooperation among libraries, museums and archives. This was attributed to inadequate technological infrastructure, lack of common and comprehensive resource description standards, absence of independent associations and organizations responsible for cooperation, lack of clear and systematic policies, absence of overarching laws supporting cooperation, lack of skilled and competent human resources, and lack of transparency in financial matters and budget allocation. On the other hand, the results showed that implementing a comprehensive and sustainable cooperation plan would lead to savings in financial resources, reduced costs of providing and organizing resources, increased service efficiency and user satisfaction, reduced use of primary sources, increased access to information resources, and deepening research activities. Macro policies, weak technological infrastructure, organizational structure and culture, financial resource provision, and human resource provision were identified as the main challenges in cooperation among libraries, museums, and archives.
Conclusion: Considering the research findings, it can be said that cooperation and convergence between libraries, museums, and archives as three organizations preserving society's cultural and historical heritage is a necessity. Organizations will gain many organizational, financial, human resource and competitive advantages from this. In this regard, it is necessary to provide technological, economic and human resources infrastructures and design and implement the necessary standards, regulations, policies, laws and policies.
Keywords
libraries
museums
archives
cooperation
convergence
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